On July 17th, 2016 （Sun）, a meet-and-greet event called Dan Carter Charity for All was held at the construction site for Kamaishi Unosumai Reconstruction Stadium （preliminary name）.

This event was held as a part of the Children's Self-Support Program, which provides help for children who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The special guests were Dan Carter, who helped New Zealand become the first team to win two Rugby World Cups in a row at the 2015 tournament in England, as well as Coach Katsuyuki Kiyomiya of the Rugby Top League team Yamaha Motor Jubilo.

They visited the Reconstruction Stadium, which is currently under construction for the 2019 World Cup. A talk session and a rugby practice for the local children and residents was also held.

"Overcoming adversity is the key to success. You have to be strong. This stadium will rival anywhere else I’ve ever played. I want to come back in three years, once it’s been finished,” said Carter, who had experienced the 2011 earthquake in New Zealand. Carter performed the kick-off ceremony in celebration for the 2019 World Cup, while participants released balloons into the sky to pray for the success of the event.

The kick-off ceremony for the event's success

Swimming season is here! Special one-day beach opening in Ofunato

Children enjoying the beach - only open for one day!

With the opening of Funado Beach in Osanaimachi, Kuji on July 10th, 2016 （Sun）, swimming season has officially begun along the coast. Similar to last year, 8 beaches from Hirono to Otsuchi opened up for the season.

On the 24th （Sun）, in Okirai （Sanrikucho, Ofunato）, Nami-ita Beach opened up to the public for a day. This
was the first time in 5 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami hit the area.

This was organized by Junior Chamber International Ofunato, in hopes of bringing back opportunities for children to experience the beach. Roughly 200 people visited the beach on this day. There were also fishing industry tours to learn about aquaculture farming, boat rides, a barbecue, and a watermelon-splitting event.

A town of 12,300 people located in the middle of the Sanriku Coast, blessed with an abundance of top quality natural resources from the oceans and mountains, such as wakame seaweed and shiitake mushrooms. The town is a food paradise, as it is the birthplace of aramaki salmon, suki konbu seaweed and Iso ramen. Otsuchi Festival, the biggest festival in the town, is held from September 16th （Fri） to the 18th （Sun）. Several traditional art events are spread out across the town, such as the carrying of portable shrines, and the daikagura, shishiodori （deer）, and toramai （tiger） dances.

Diving Service opens at Okirai Bay （Ofunato）

Divers in the Okirai Bay （Photo: Michinoku Diving Rias）

On July 10th, 2016 （Sun）, scuba diving services were started at Okirai Bay in Sanriku, Ofunato by the Okirai Diving Club. The club is composed of members from diving shop Michinoku Diving Rias and local fishermen.

Hiroshi Sato, who works at the diving shop, started this diving service with the local fishermen after they built a bond of trust with each other. This was through several relief efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Disaster, such as clearing the debris in the ocean with volunteer divers from all across the country.

Typically, people are not allowed to get close to aquaculture equipment, as they are regarded as a sort of "holy site," but the Okirai Fishery's accreditation provides the unique opportunity to look at the equipment used to grow scallops, oysters, and sea squirts from underwater.

There are high hopes for diving along Sanriku, an area that has recovered from the tsunami damage and is now overflowing with the will to live. It is expected to be a new way to bring in tourists.

Sanriku Railway - with Stylish Attendants: A Lunch and Sweets Train

Attendants dressed up in stylish modern clothes （photo: Sanriku Railway）

During the 8 days from July 30th （Sat） to August 15th （Mon）, a retro train called the "Lunch & Sweets Train" will run on Sanriku Railway's South Rias line between Kamaishi Station and Sakari Station.

The train will be staffed by stylish attendants wearing yagasuri-patterned kimono and hakama, calling back to a nostalgic time in Japan’s history.

On the train, people can enjoy the "SWEETS BOX," which is a lunch box set consisting of the Sansanroku Lunch Box from Mukushi Shoten in Otsuchi, and a raspberry fromboise and Sanriku galette from Kameyama in Kamaishi. Chef and owner of Japanese restaurant Sanpi Ryoron, Masahiro Kasahara, oversaw the lunchbox menu.

Feature

Many young people are diligently helping the affected area of Sanriku move toward a full reconstruction. The section “People for Sanriku’s Future” introduces these young people and their powerful feelings.

Click the link to read about Yutaka Kibihara and his passion for giving children an opportunity to interact with horses.

Casualties and Damage in Iwate （as of June 30, 2016）

Thank you for all of your support! （as of June 30, 2016）

Donations for survivors: Around 18.49874billion yen （93,530 donations）Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.77718 billion yen （7,791 donations）Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 8.48074 billion yen （17,971 donations）
※ This fund is to assist in the study and daily life of affected
children by encouraging sport and study activities.